142 Years of Legacy: Phoebe Ballou, Lois Mailou Jones
142 Years of Legacy: Phoebe Ballou, Lois Mailou Jones
Join us at Doherty Hall on Sunday, August 10, for an unforgettable evening that celebrates one of the Vineyard’s most remarkable families.
Longtime Islander Laurence Holland presents this special program which offers a rare glimpse into the lives of his extraordinary ancestors—most notably his grandmother, Loïs Mailou Jones, the internationally acclaimed artist whose summers in Oak Bluffs helped shape her groundbreaking career.
You’ll also journey back to 1883 with Laurence’s second great-grandmother, Phoebe-Ann Moseley Adams Ballou, who arrived in Cottage City as a domestic worker and, by 1913, became one of the first African American women to own property on Martha’s Vineyard. Her determination and vision laid the foundation for a thriving Black summer community that continues to flourish today.
Through never-before-seen family photographs and deeply personal stories, Laurence shares a powerful legacy of fortitude, creativity, and cultural impact—a legacy that still lives on through Phoebe and Loïs’s descendants.
Don’t miss this tribute to a family whose roots run deep in Island history—and whose influence continues to inspire.
MVM Member: $15; Non-Member: $25
DETAILS
| Date | August 10, 2025 |
|---|---|
| From | 5:00 pm |
| To | 6:00 pm |
| Type | Talk |
| Venue | Martha’s Vineyard Museum |
Image courtesy of Laurence Holland